Earlier today, I chatted with SVIIB’s Benjamin Curtis. Our full exchange:
1. What’s the inspiration behind Disconnect From Desire‘s cover?
We were having a conversation with Bryan Collins, who also did the artwork for Alpinisms, about symbols and iconography, which at the time we all happened to be interested in independently. We were discussing the personal, and emotional aspect to the new music, and Alley mentioned this idea of a “Sigil”, which is an interesting concept if you’re feeling brave and want to wade into the deep end of these sort of new age-y concepts. But, the concept is actually pretty powerful. The idea is to write a statement of intent, or something you want to put out into the universe, and then reduce the words down systematically to just a few letters. Then, you make a design out of what is left that isn’t recognizable from what it’s made from. Bryan was floored by the idea and went to town. I love it because it’s become a unique symbol that contains the words “Disconnect From Desire” and all the ideas behind it. Symbols and icons can be really fun like that.
2. Can you further explain the concept of ‘Babelonia’?
It seems to me it’s about a conflicted character. She seems to be realizing that the things she’s been taught her entire life, all the things she’s been depending on, are just stories she was told and aren’t the truth at all. Maybe she’s realizing she can only really depend on herself, which maybe is something all of us go through at some time or another.
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Last week (on a gorgeous summer evening), I had the pleasure of chatting with Australian chanteuse, Sarah Blasko. Additionally, Sarah performed two selections from her beautiful new album (produced by Peter Bjorn & John’s Bjorn Yttling), As Day Follows Night. Visit Sarah Blasko on MySpace. Be certain to follow her on Twitter. Videography courtesy of Micah Weisberg.
Enjoy ‘All I Want’ & ‘We Won’t Run’ AFTER THE JUMP…
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Earlier today, I chatted with Delphic’s Matt Cocksedge. Our full exchange:
1. How would you describe Delphic in twenty words or less?
Ambi-dance. Post-dance. Electronic music with soul.
2. Are you excited for your first-ever US tour?
It’s unbelievable! In the UK, so much of our culture is your culture. A few hours ago, we realized that we were on Broadway. We passed Macy’s & Bloomingdale’s – they’re not just in films, they’re actual places!
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Earlier today, I chatted with CocoRosie. Enjoy our full exchange below:
1. How did Argentinian culture help shape Grey Oceans?
WE ARE NOT DRAWN TO THE IMAGERY OUTSIDE OUR WINDOW. WE DRAW FROM OUR PAST AND FROM OUR FANTASIES. CHINA AND INDIA HAVE BEEN A SUBTLE INGREDIENT IN THIS RECORD.
2. What’s the inspiration behind the video for ‘Lemonade’?
THE DARK CRYSTAL.
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Earlier today, I chatted with Deluka’s Ellie Innocenti. Our full exchange:
1. How would you describe Deluka in twenty words or less?
We’re an English band in New York, we make dance music with guitars, or guitar music you can dance to.
2. What’s the inspiration behind the video for ‘Cascade’?
We worked with fashion photographer Antoine Verglas, we’d done a photo shoot with him that turned out great and he was pretty taken with our music, so he suggested he make the video and we jumped at the chance to work with him again. We all wanted it to be a performance video rather than a narrative video as it’s the first introduction to us as a band. Antoine was very much like ‘turn up in your own clothes exactly how you look and play’. He has a great eye for making you look good too. There’s loads of light imagery in the lyrics and we were lucky enough to get Michael Appel from MTV who made the lighting look like an especially well lit show!
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Earlier today, I chatted with Barry Burns. Enjoy our full exchange below:
1. Why’d you choose Brooklyn as the locale for Burning?
It was one of the venues where we were going to play more than one night (we did three nights there) which allowed us to have plenty of footage for our film and gave us room for mistakes. New York is also a city where historically we have had really great shows and the crowds are generally excellent. We originally had an option to do the filming in Japan until we saw the costs.
2. Why’d you decide to work with V. Moon & N. Le Scouarnec?
Before this project Vincent was suggested by an old manager of ours and he had shot a short film which accompanied our last studio album, The Hawk Is Howling. It worked really well and so we asked him and Nat on board for a bigger project. Vincent was really keen to work with us again too so it was mutually beneficial. Plus, to say you have been in a “French Film” sounds good. I was in a French Film. It’s black and white, you know.
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Earlier today, I chatted with Jake Shears. Enjoy our full exchange below:
1. What’s the inspiration behind Night Work‘s cover art?
Many people think that’s my rear end but it’s actually a Mapplethorpe photo of Peter Reed. I wanted this album to be dedicated to all the men of the ’80s. All the creative people who died of AIDS. I thought a lot about that time period. People were very liberated before the party got killed. Mapplethorpe’s photographs represent the beauty and the tragedy of it all.
2. What was it like to work alongside Stuart Price?
I’ve known Stuart for a long time. He’s always been a really good friend. We’re all huge fans of his. I love his remixes and I also love his personality. We were in Berlin and Stuart told us that he’d drop everything to make a record with us. His enthusiasm knocked me off my feet. We started working together three weeks later. It’s heaven to work with him. I never want to make a record without him! He’s not only a genius but he’s also so full of love & creativity. He also has the sickest/darkest sense of humor. He’s twisted. We also share a major love of club music. It was great spending time with him.
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Last weekend, I chatted with We Are Scientists on a sofa in Williamsburg. Additionally, Keith Murray & Chris Cain performed two stellar selections from their brilliant new LP (Barbara). Watch their official video for ‘Nice Guys’ here. Follow WAS on Twitter. Videography courtesy of Micah Weisberg.
Enjoy ‘Rules Don’t Stop’ & ‘Pittsburgh’ AFTER THE JUMP…
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Earlier today, I chatted with The Golden Filter. Enjoy our exchange below:
1. How would you describe The Golden Filter in 20 words or less?
Fox-like.
2. What’s the inspiration behind the video for ‘Thunderbird’?
Half of the video was centered on an idea Moop Jaw had relating to Jim Jones and horribly fascinating religious cults. The other half was based on our idea about a powerful female force in control of all things, especially kids toying with cult-like behavior.
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